The Encouragement of Faith

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
– Romans 1:11-12, NKJV –

The apostle longed to see the Christians in Rome for a marvelous reason: “that I may impart to you some spiritual gift.” He went on to explain “that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” His words should humble, convict, and instruct us.

After all, how many of us long to gather with other Christians in order to encourage their faith and find joy in their faith? How often is our motivation to be with our Christians found in our desire to experience our mutual faith in Jesus Christ?

The motivation was real for Paul. It delighted him to hear about the faith of other Christians. It delighted him to share all the Lord was doing in his life and the lives of Christians around the world with other believers.

He loved to listen to testimonies of God’s grace. He loved to see the evidence of God’s redeeming love in his brothers and sisters. He loved to sit around with spiritual family celebrating the forgiveness of sins, new life in Christ, and the firm hope of heaven.

Sharing testimonies and celebrating our mutual faith helps us become “established.” The world around us wants us to believe our faith is a mere figment of imagination. The world despises our faith in Christ and tries to silence it. Those who hate Jesus tend to loathe our faith in Jesus and do everything in their power to trample it.

Reminding one another that Jesus really dwelt among us, died on the cross, rose from the grave, and ascended to heaven for our salvation is vital to being established in our faith while living in this antagonistic world.

Next time you gather with other Christians, ask them to share their testimony of God’s grace in their lives. Ask them to talk about how the Lord Jesus is growing and encouraging them. Invite them to talk about wonderful truths they are learning from God’s Word. Then share with them how the steadfast love of God has sustained you. Tell the story of how Christ intervened in your life, how He comforts you through His promises, how He delights you with His presence. Long to see other Christians in order to be encouraged by their mutual faith.